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How Microwaves Get Inside a Drone

Microwave energy can enter drones through antennas, wiring, circuit traces, sensors, and power systems in ways that vary by design.

On this page

  • Conductive pathways into vulnerable electronics
  • Why orientation and shielding change the result
  • Why undisclosed THOR parameters matter
Preview for How Microwaves Get Inside a Drone

Introduction

When a high-power microwave (HPM) system such as THOR is described as “disabling” a drone, the crucial mechanism is usually not a visible strike against the airframe. Instead, the microwave energy must find a way into the drone’s electronics. Engineers refer to this process as electromagnetic coupling: the transfer of electromagnetic energy from the external field into conductive structures and circuits inside the target. High-power microwave weapons are specifically designed to exploit these coupling paths, creating disruptive voltages and currents in electronics that were never intended to handle them. [Office of Naval Research]onr.navy.milOffice of Naval ResearchDirected Energy Weapons: High Power MicrowavesHPM weapons create beams of electromagnetic energy over a broad spe…

Coupling Paths illustration 1 Understanding these pathways helps explain why the effects of systems like THOR are difficult to verify publicly. A drone may crash, reboot, lose communications, or suffer permanent damage, yet observers rarely know exactly which route the microwave energy used to reach the vulnerable electronics. Much of the information needed to determine that route—frequency, pulse characteristics, power density, beam geometry, and target susceptibility—remains undisclosed. [Office of Naval Research]onr.navy.milOffice of Naval ResearchDirected Energy Weapons: High Power MicrowavesHPM weapons create beams of electromagnetic energy over a broad spe…

Epirus Leonidas: High-Power Microwave for Counter-Electronics

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Conductive Pathways Into Vulnerable Electronics

Microwave energy does not need a direct opening into a drone’s processor. Instead, it can exploit conductive structures that naturally interact with electromagnetic fields.

The most obvious coupling path is through antennas. Communication links, telemetry systems, GPS receivers, video transmitters, and command-and-control radios all depend on antennas designed to receive electromagnetic signals. Under sufficiently intense microwave illumination, these antennas can act as highly efficient entry points that channel energy into radio-frequency front ends and connected circuitry. Studies of UAV electromagnetic vulnerability consistently identify communication and navigation systems among the most exposed subsystems. [MDPI+2radioeng.cz]mdpi.comInvestigation on Electromagnetic Immunity of Unmanned…by R Kubacki · 2025 · Cited by 2 — Microwave field incidents on a drone can…

A second major pathway is wiring. Power cables, signal harnesses, motor-control wiring, and interconnects can behave like unintended receiving antennas. Even though they were not designed for radio-frequency reception, long conductors can collect energy from an external microwave field and transport induced currents into sensitive electronics. Experimental research on UAV exposure to high-power microwaves has repeatedly identified cables and power-distribution paths as dominant energy-coupling routes. [ResearchGate]researchgate.netInvestigation on Falling and Damage Mechanisms of UAV…13 Oct 2022 — Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), when illuminated by hig…

Circuit traces on printed circuit boards provide another route. Once energy enters through an antenna or cable, it can propagate into processors, memory chips, sensor interfaces, power-management circuits, and motor controllers. The result may be transient faults, software crashes, logic errors, latch-up conditions in semiconductors, or permanent component damage depending on the intensity and duration of the pulse. [Office of Naval Research]onr.navy.milOffice of Naval ResearchDirected Energy Weapons: High Power MicrowavesHPM weapons create beams of electromagnetic energy over a broad spe…

Researchers studying drone electromagnetic immunity commonly identify several especially sensitive systems:

  • Flight controllers.
  • GPS and navigation receivers.
  • Radio transceivers and datalinks.
  • Electronic speed controllers.
  • Power-management electronics. [researchgate.net]researchgate.netThe Strategic Role of High-Power Microwave Directed…29 May 2026 — The paper compares HPM DEWs with high-energy laser (HEL) systems alo…Published: May 2026
  • Sensor interfaces and payload electronics. [MDPI]mdpi.comInvestigation on Electromagnetic Immunity of Unmanned…by R Kubacki · 2025 · Cited by 2 — Microwave field incidents on a drone can…

The key point is that the microwave weapon does not necessarily need to damage every subsystem. Disrupting a single critical electronic function can be enough to cause loss of control or mission failure.

THOR (Tactical High Power Operational Responded), US Army’s New Microwave Anti-Drone Weapon System

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Why Orientation and Shielding Change the Result

Microwave coupling is highly dependent on geometry. The same drone may experience very different effects depending on how it is positioned relative to the incoming electromagnetic field.

Orientation matters because antennas and conductors interact differently with fields arriving from different directions and polarisations. A wire that is aligned favourably with the incident field can collect substantially more energy than one oriented at an unfavourable angle. Research on drone antenna behaviour shows that orientation can significantly alter received electromagnetic power, even when the transmitter and receiver remain in the same general location. [arXiv]arxiv.orgImpact of 3D UWB Antenna Radiation Pattern on Air-to-Ground Drone ConnectivityOctober 2, 2018…Published: October 2, 2018

Shielding also changes the outcome. Metallic structures, conductive coatings, filtered connectors, shielded cables, and hardened radio-frequency components can reduce the amount of energy reaching sensitive electronics. However, shielding is rarely perfect. Practical systems still require apertures, seams, sensors, antennas, cooling paths, and electrical interfaces. These openings can become entry points for electromagnetic energy. Defence analysts frequently describe microwave systems as exploiting the “seams” through which energy can infiltrate electronics rather than penetrating a completely sealed enclosure. [National Defense Magazine]nationaldefensemagazine.orgcounterdrone mission seen as killer app for directed energyNational Defense MagazineCounter-UAS Mission Seen as Killer App for Directed EnergyJan 20, 2026 — High-powered microwaves can blast more…

This helps explain why two outwardly similar drones can react differently under the same exposure. Small design differences in wiring layout, cable length, shielding quality, antenna placement, grounding, and electronic architecture may substantially alter the coupling efficiency. [MDPI+2Preprints]mdpi.comInvestigation on Electromagnetic Immunity of Unmanned…by R Kubacki · 2025 · Cited by 2 — Microwave field incidents on a drone can…

Coupling Paths illustration 2

Why a Drone Can Fail Without Visible Damage

One reason microwave defeat mechanisms are difficult to assess from photographs or videos is that coupling targets electronics rather than structure.

Unlike a laser, which may leave burn marks or visible physical damage, a microwave pulse can induce electrical effects inside the vehicle while leaving the airframe largely intact. A drone may simply stop responding, enter a failsafe mode, reboot unexpectedly, lose navigation data, or suffer corrupted control signals. External observers may only see a drone descend, drift, or fall from the sky. [GAO]gao.govScience & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy WeaponsScience & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy WeaponsMay 25, 2023 — These weapons include high energy lasers and other high power electrom…Published: May 25, 2023

Research on UAV exposure to high-power electromagnetic environments describes a spectrum of outcomes ranging from temporary upset to complete burnout. The distinction depends on how much energy couples into the electronics and which components receive it. A brief disruption of a communication receiver may be recoverable, while damage to a flight controller or power-management circuit may not be. [Defence Finance Monitor+2MDPI]defencefinancemonitor.comDefence Finance MonitorNon-Kinetic Counter-UAS with High Power Microwave8 Dec 2025 — The effects of an HPM hit on a drone can range from…

Because multiple coupling paths can exist simultaneously, post-event observation often cannot reveal which pathway caused the failure. Detailed forensic examination of the electronics is usually required.

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Why Undisclosed THOR Parameters Matter

Open-source descriptions of THOR confirm that it uses high-power microwaves to create counter-electronic effects against drones, but they do not disclose the technical parameters that determine coupling behaviour. [GAO]gao.govScience & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy WeaponsScience & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy WeaponsMay 25, 2023 — These weapons include high energy lasers and other high power electrom…Published: May 25, 2023

Several missing variables are particularly important:

  • Operating frequency.
  • Pulse width and pulse repetition rate.
  • Peak power.
  • Polarisation.
  • Beam shape and steering characteristics.
  • Energy density at target range.

Each variable influences which coupling paths become dominant. One frequency may interact strongly with a communications antenna, while another may couple more effectively into wiring harnesses. Different pulse structures may favour temporary disruption or permanent semiconductor damage. Small changes in target orientation may also alter effectiveness. [Preprints+2radioeng.cz]preprints.orgInvestigation on Electromagnetic Compatibility of…26 Sept 2025 — As drone electronics continue to integrate and develop, they…

As a result, independent observers can understand the general mechanism—microwave energy coupling into antennas, cables, circuit traces, and electronic subsystems—without being able to verify the exact path taken during a THOR engagement. That uncertainty is a major reason why the system’s true kill mechanism remains difficult to evaluate from public evidence alone. Office of Naval Research+2National Defense Magazine [onr.navy.mil]onr.navy.milOffice of Naval ResearchDirected Energy Weapons: High Power MicrowavesHPM weapons create beams of electromagnetic energy over a broad spe…

Coupling Paths illustration 3

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Endnotes

  1. Source: gao.gov
    Title: Science & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy Weapons
    Link: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-106717
    Source snippet

    Science & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy WeaponsMay 25, 2023 — These weapons include high energy [lasers]({{ 'lasers/' | relative_url }}) and other high power electrom...

    Published: May 25, 2023

  2. Source: mdpi.com
    Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/14/21/4332
    Source snippet

    Investigation on Electromagnetic Immunity of Unmanned...by R Kubacki · 2025 · Cited by 2 — Microwave field incidents on a drone can...

  3. Source: radioeng.cz
    Link: https://www.radioeng.cz/fulltexts/2022/22_02_0201_0209.pdf
    Source snippet

    Electromagnetic Energy Coupling Path and Protection...by Y WANG · 2022 · Cited by 11 — The electromagnetic energy coupling path of the b...

  4. Source: researchgate.net
    Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362260176_Investigation_on_Falling_and_Damage_Mechanisms_of_UAV_Illuminated_by_HPM_Pulses
    Source snippet

    Investigation on Falling and Damage Mechanisms of UAV...13 Oct 2022 — Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), when illuminated by hig...

  5. Source: mdpi.com
    Title: 2504 446X
    Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/10/4/272
    Source snippet

    Analysis of High-Power Electromagnetic Pulses Effect on...by KJ Lee · 2026 — This study investigates the “soft-kill” mechanism of unmann...

  6. Source: preprints.org
    Link: https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202509.2161
    Source snippet

    Investigation on Electromagnetic Compatibility of...26 Sept 2025 — As drone electronics continue to integrate and develop, they...

  7. Source: arxiv.org
    Link: https://arxiv.org/abs/1810.01442
    Source snippet

    Impact of 3D UWB Antenna Radiation Pattern on Air-to-Ground Drone ConnectivityOctober 2, 2018...

    Published: October 2, 2018

  8. Source: gao.gov
    Link: https://www.gao.gov/
    Source snippet

    onal watchdog," GAO investigates federal spending and performance...

  9. Source: researchgate.net
    Title: 350941439 High power microwave for knocking out programmable suicide drones
    Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350941439_High_power_microwave_for_knocking_out_programmable_suicide_drones
    Source snippet

    (PDF) High power microwave for knocking out...16 Apr 2021 — This article aims to examine the directed energy of HPM (high power microwav...

  10. Source: researchgate.net
    Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/401596360_Shaping_Modern_Warfare_The_Strategic_Role_of_High-Power_Microwave_Directed_Energy_Weapons_in_Multi-Domain_Operations
    Source snippet

    The Strategic Role of High-Power Microwave Directed...29 May 2026 — The paper compares HPM DEWs with high-energy laser (HEL) systems alo...

    Published: May 2026

  11. Source: researchgate.net
    Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/4229403_Research_on_high_power_microwave_weapons
    Source snippet

    (PDF) Research on high power microwave weaponsThis structured narrative review analyses how High-Power Microwave (HPM) Directed Energy We...

  12. Source: onr.navy.mil
    Link: https://www.onr.navy.mil/organization/departments/code-35/division-353/directed-energy-weapons-high-power-microwaves
    Source snippet

    Office of Naval ResearchDirected Energy Weapons: High Power MicrowavesHPM weapons create beams of electromagnetic energy over a broad spe...

  13. Source: nationaldefensemagazine.org
    Title: counterdrone mission seen as killer app for directed energy
    Link: https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2026/1/20/counterdrone-mission-seen-as-killer-app-for-directed-energy
    Source snippet

    National Defense MagazineCounter-UAS Mission Seen as Killer App for Directed EnergyJan 20, 2026 — High-powered microwaves can blast more...

  14. Source: defencefinancemonitor.com
    Link: https://www.defencefinancemonitor.com/p/non-kinetic-counter-uas-with-high
    Source snippet

    Defence Finance MonitorNon-Kinetic Counter-UAS with High Power Microwave8 Dec 2025 — The effects of an HPM hit on a drone can range from...

Additional References

  1. Source: reddit.com
    Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/comments/1lniyfm/personal_highpowered_microwave_hpm_weapons/

  2. Source: rtx.com
    Link: https://www.rtx.com/raytheon/what-we-do/integrated-air-and-missile-defense/phaser-high-power-microwave
    Source snippet

    Phaser High-Power Microwave System | RaytheonDefending at the speed of light. The Phaser high-power microwave system uses directed energy...

  3. Source: scispace.com
    Link: https://scispace.com/pdf/electromagnetic-signature-of-a-quadcopter-drone-and-its-1849my09y7.pdf
    Source snippet

    This paper presents an investigation of the electromagnetic signatur...

  4. Source: securityanddefence.pl
    Title: High power microwave for knocking out programmable suicide drones,135068,0,2
    Link: https://securityanddefence.pl/High-power-microwave-for-knocking-out-programmable-suicide-drones%2C135068%2C0%2C2.html
    Source snippet

    High power microwave for knocking out programmable...by MZ Chaari · 2021 · Cited by 24 — This article aims to examine the directed energ...

  5. Source: jedonline.com
    Title: high power microwave systems getting much much closer to operational status
    Link: https://www.jedonline.com/2023/01/24/high-power-microwave-systems-getting-much-much-closer-to-operational-status/?print=print
    Source snippet

    Journal of Electromagnetic DominanceHigh-Power Microwave Systems – Getting (Much...24 Jan 2023 — An HPM system delivers RF and microwave...

  6. Source: youtube.com
    Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6XdcWToy2c&vl=en

  7. Source: aspistrategist.org.au
    Title: war at the speed of light the emerging role of directed energy weapons
    Link: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/war-at-the-speed-of-light-the-emerging-role-of-directed-energy-weapons/
    Source snippet

    the emerging role of directed-energy weapons15 Apr 2026 — Australian companies are developing both high-energy lasers and high-powered mi...

  8. Source: youtube.com
    Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-J8bTwJptc
    Source snippet

    High power microwave coupling electronics drone weapon US-made Leonidas High-Power Microwave Defeats 49-[Drone Swarm]({{ 'swarm-limits/' | relative_url }}) #airdefense UNITED24...

  9. Source: unmannedairspace.info
    Link: https://www.unmannedairspace.info/counter-uas-systems-and-policies/us-gao-report-directed-energy-weapon-technical-maturity-levels-still-lagging/
    Source snippet

    directed energy weapon technical maturity levels still laggingUS GAO report: directed energy weapon technical maturity levels still lagging...

  10. Source: coherentmarketinsights.com
    Title: Directed Energy Weapons in [Counter Drone]({{ ‘missile-savings/’ | relative_url }}) Missile Defense
    Link: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/blog/aerospace-and-defense/directed-energy-weapons-in-counter-drone-missile-defense-3576
    Source snippet

    Directed Energy Weapons in CounterDrone Missile DefenseMay 4, 2026 — The high-energy lasers that are being used to defeat any aerial thre...

    Published: May 4, 2026

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